Walk Description

​We were always conscious of the fact that this walk is notoriously boggy and can become tedious rather than enjoyable. We therefore decided to attempt it after a long dry spell and we therefore enjoyed a delightful walk with dry feet!

The walk started from the United Utilities Car Park at Armboth where there is a charge for parking. The Car Park sits on the edge of Thirlmere therefore is very handy for the post walk washing of a filthy pooch and also the cooling of hot feet. Being tight arsed, we parked in a free parking area just up the road but started the walk from the Car Park. A gate led us to a good path heading uphill through the woods and after about a mile or so we emerged onto the open fell side. Our first objective, Armboth Fell could be seen to the left and we followed a good path over to it. There are 2 summits here and we therefore visited both the Birkett and Wainwright summits before heading off over to High Tove. Although on a good day High Tove is in sight, we avoided making a beeline for it and instead headed back to the path junction before turning left to reach the top.

At this point we had crossed the odd boggy patch but nothing that a bit of sidestepping could not sort out. From High Tove the route followed the fence line passing Eddy Grave Stake and then headed arrow like to a stile just short of High Seat's summit. From here there is a superb view over to The Dodds, The Helvellyn Range and all the way over towards The Scafells. Crossing the stile we reached the summit Trig Point where the view opened up to the North and Skiddaw and Blencathra graced us with their presence. We hung about for a while on the summit of High Seat - all was calm and peaceful and we had only seen one other walker.

Tearing ourselves away, we made our way back to High Tove and followed the same path back to the Car Park at Armboth where Fudge enjoyed a good old swim in Thirlmere. We were both pleasantly surprised by this walk today - it sometimes gets a bad press but we found it extremely enjoyable and the views were excellent.

Heading up from Armboth looking back to Thirlmere

Looking above Thirlmere to The Dodds

Browncove Crags on Helvellyn with Nethermost Pike to the right

Tiny cairn, cute dog and a sweaty bloke on the summit of Armboth Fell

Blencathra bathed in sunshine over Raven Crag with Clough Head to the right

The summit of High Tove

Thirsty work for Fudge as we head off High Tove on our way to High Seat ahead